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International Journal of Nuclear Security
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Impurity Diffusion As A Possible Metal Chronometer For Pre-Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Edward T. Peskie, Howard L. Hall
Impurity Diffusion As A Possible Metal Chronometer For Pre-Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Edward T. Peskie, Howard L. Hall
International Journal of Nuclear Security
The ability to determine the age of seized nuclear material—that is, the time that has passed since it was formed— would provide crucial data to be used in its investigation. This paper reviews the methods and mathematical reasoning behind the use of diffusion theory, as previously applied to analysis of metals in ancient artifacts and other objects, to modern investigations in nuclear science. We here examine the time-dependent processes of diffusion, including grain boundary diffusion and discontinuous precipitation, and we assess the utility of examining the profiles of impurity and alloying element concentrations for use as a tool in pre-detonation …
Radiation Damage As A Possible Metal Chronometer For Pre-Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Edward T. Peskie, Howard L. Hall
Radiation Damage As A Possible Metal Chronometer For Pre-Detonation Nuclear Forensics, Edward T. Peskie, Howard L. Hall
International Journal of Nuclear Security
The better we can determine how long ago nuclear material was made, the sharper our tools for investigating seized nuclear materials. This paper examines the effects of radiation damage caused by the decay of uranium isotopes, and assesses how experts in nuclear forensics could use the analyses of these damaged regions to determine how much time has passed since metal samples were formed. It also draws parallels from fission track dating studies of mineral samples under geologic time, and proposes modifications to past publications on α-recoil track dating in order to determine the time since a metal sample was cast …